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Top 12 Museums in Edmonton
Edmonton’s museums are a hit with everyone, not just history enthusiasts! From global treasures to local stories, there’s something intriguing for all.
Our list includes museums in Edmonton that feature art, history, and beyond, so let’s dive in and explore what they offer!
Royal Alberta Museum
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Address: 9810 103a Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0G2, Canada
Website: https://royalalbertamuseum.ca/
Contact Details: +18254686000
Opening Hours: Tuesday, closed; Monday to Sunday 10 AM–4 PM
Price: $$
If you’re a huge dino fan and somewhat interested in prehistoric fossils and bones, then the Royal Alberta Museum should be the first place on your list!
They have all sorts of interesting displays like a true-to-life figure of the wooly mammoth and the mummified fossils of the Albertosaurus fossil. But as you go deeper into the museum, you’ll find areas that showcase distinct parts of Edmonton’s history.
For instance, at the prehistoric age section, you’ll find the Manitou Asiniy on exhibit – it’s that popular iron meteorite that landed near Alberta-Saskatchewan!
Pro Tip:
The museum is open all year which makes this a fantastic place to visit at any time. But we highly recommend visiting around winter if you have kids because they have special children’s groups that make your kiddos’ time there much more sociable!
Telus World of Science
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Address: 11211 142 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 4A1, Canada
Website: https://telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca/
Contact Details: +17804513344
Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM–5 PM
Price: $
Many of us fondly remember it as the “Space & Science Centre,” but today it’s celebrated as the Telus World of Science. It used to be all about space, with its standout feature of an observatory with a big telescope.
Now, this dynamic museum showcases the marvels of scientific discovery, invention, and history through a diverse array of exhibits spanning the entire spectrum of science.
There are loads of fun things to do and see here, like shows about chemistry and physics, robots, health stuff, and even animals and dinosaur bones.
There’s even a special theater for documentaries, and another big dome theater where you can watch live theater about notable scientific events that are kid-friendly!
As for families with little kids, the Curious City and the Science Garage is a must-visit as it’s full of fun and educational activities.
Pro Tip:
If you take their annual membership, you’ll have access to the museum any time during the year and discounts to their theater shows. It’ll cost you $165.95.
Musée Héritage Museum
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Address: 5 St Anne St, St. Albert, AB T8N 3Z9, Canada
Website: https://museeheritage.ca/
Contact Details: +17804591528
Opening Hours: Sunday and Monday, closed; Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM–5 PM
Price: $
The Musée Héritage Museum will give you a more unique historical experience by showcasing rotating exhibits like a replica of the first permanent bridge in Canada. While the museum isn’t the largest, its myriad of interesting artifacts like paintings and sculptures all make up for it!
Aside from those, there are also taxidermied animals that are common in Edmonton’s wildlife population. For instance, they have exhibits of elks, moose, and ferrets that show you some interesting creatures only found within the Alberta region.
Since we’ve mentioned that it’s quite a small museum, you might run out of things to do during the day. Luckily for you, the River Valley is nearby and you can participate in their segway tours to complete your day with a blast!
Pro Tip:
One exhibit we absolutely love is the Métis beading which is a beautifully crafted moccasin which was traditionally the design you’ll see during the 15th to 16th century. This alone is worth the visit if you want to peek at Edmonton’s curious past!
Spruce Grove Grain Elevator Museum
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Address: 120 Railway Ave, Spruce Grove, AB T7X 2Z1, Canada
Website: https://www.sprucegroveagsociety.com/
Contact Details: +17809604600
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10 AM to 5 PM
Price: $
The Grove Grain Elevator Museum is a great example of a unique museum that showcases exhibits that you’ve probably never seen before elsewhere.
In fact, grain elevators are quite the sight along the Alberta prairies, and this museum proves why they are through beautifully built elevators of all shapes and sizes.
You can even see the design’s evolution throughout the years which should spark your interest if you’re an industrial enthusiast. To make it even better, you’ll be guided by a passionate tour expert who’ll walk you through the bells and whistles of each amazing elevator.
Pro Tip:
If you arrive early, you can visit the Sunday farmer’s market for a quick snack and some goodies you can bring home with you.
Alberta Railway Museum
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Address: 24215 34 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5Y 6B4, Canada
Website: https://albertarailwaymuseum.com/
Contact Details: +17804726229
Opening Hours: Summers each year (Weekends)
Price: Free
We love trains and how they are designed, and if you’re the same, then you can’t miss out on the Alberta Railway Museum! It’s an outdoor museum that has several train models from the first one in Edmonton down to the latest transit we use on a daily basis today!
What’s interesting is they display the locomotives in a fashion that takes you through when they were built. Personally, we love the WWI fire hall as it shows you one of the more exciting train models and their significance in the first world war.
Pro Tip:
Sadly, this museum is only open during the weekends on specific summers during the year. We recommend checking out their website for the full schedule since they change every year so you can plan your next itinerary.
John Walter Museum
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Address: 9180 Walterdale Hill NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2V3, Canada
Website: https://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_events/john-walter-museum.aspx
Contact Details: +17804425311
Opening Hours: Summers each year (Weekdays)
Price: Free
Here’s one museum that you’ve probably never heard about: The curious living history museum of John Walter’s home.
To give you a little bit of a background, John Walter worked as a boat builder in Fort Edmonton. Soon after, he built a house by the river across from where he worked as he continued to craft boats until the day he passed away in 1920.
He was a great man who organized community events and sponsored a lot of development that made Edmonton the great city that it is today.
Now, the home he built across Fort Edmonton is now a museum that you can visit to see what it’s like living as John Walters—with all his furniture, works, boat designs, and much more!
Pro Tip:
While it may sound like a bore for children, there are several parks outside and children’s activity centers that are sponsored by the museum. It’s great to take them with you for a quick history lesson that’s fun and exciting!
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Museum
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Address: 10611 110 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 1H7, Canada
Website: http://umcalberta.org/
Contact Details: +17804411062
Opening Hours: Saturday only 10 AM to 2 PM
Price: Free
Also known as the Ukrainian Village, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Museum is one of our favorite living history museums because it not only shows you the history of the Ukrainian pioneer settlement, but also its culture.
As you explore this vast landscape, you’ll be greeted with farmsteads and town halls that belong to the Ukrainian settlement groups.
While we love seeing paintings, sculptures, and old artifacts, there’s something more about a living and breathing community that shows you the lifestyle of how certain cultures operate—one that is incredibly significant and important in the heart of Edmonton.
This means seeing trains stations, churches, and general stores that leave an imprint of inclusivity the people of Edmonton share—and it’s quite a beautiful sight!
Pro Tip:
The locals there act as your tour guide which gives this authentic experience as they share their lifestyles and personal experiences. We highly recommend having a chat with them if you’re curious!
Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum
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Address: Edmonton, AB T6E 4B4, Canada
Website: http://www.edmonton-radial-railway.ab.ca/
Contact Details: +17804377721
Opening Hours: Saturdays only 10:30 AM–2:30 PM
Price: Free
Vintage and significant streetcars are shipped around the world to the Strathcona museum for you to see the incredible level of detail that these automobiles have.
They are also maintained by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society which operates from Strathcona which means you’ll have a chance to meet some of its members for a quick tour.
If you’re into streetcars, then this is a place that you must jot down on your checklist of museums to visit in Edmonton! A bonus here is that you can also witness the stunning views of downtown Edmonton and the nearby River Valley works!
Pro Tip:
Make the most of your trip by planning around the streetcar museum’s free admission on Saturdays when the streetcar is running.
This allows you to enjoy a historical ride on one of the restored streetcars, which may include vehicles from as far back as 1912 or as far afield as Japan and Australia, and then explore the museum without an entry fee.
University of Alberta
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Address: 116 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Website: http://www.ualberta.ca/
Contact Details: +17804923111
Opening Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
The University of Alberta in Edmonton has a lot of cool museums! With 29 different ones on campus, there’s so much to see. These places have really neat things on show, picked from over 10 million items by the people who know a lot about them.
You can check out cool rocks from space in the Meteorite Collection, see old dentist tools in the Dentistry Museum Collection, and learn about frogs and snakes in the Amphibian and Reptile Collection.
If you’re a dinosaur lover, there are als old dinosaur bones at the Vertebrate Palaeontology Museum. In fact, this dinosaur place is the closest thing Edmonton has to a full dinosaur museum!
This university also happens to have a living historical museum through the Rutherford House, where Alberta’s first big leader lived. It’s right on campus too and lets you peek into the past.
Pro Tip:
The University of Alberta’s library is one of the best in Canada due to the vast academic resources that it has. Also, it’s a beautiful library that looks vintage which is inspiring to be in. If you’re in town, a stop by this place isn’t a bad idea at all!
Alberta Aviation Museum
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Address: 11410 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 0X4, Canada
Website: http://www.albertaaviationmuseum.com/
Contact Details: +17804511175
Opening Hours: Monday, closed; Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM–4 PM
Price: $$
Upon visiting the Alberta Aviation Museum, it’s clear that the place is catered to children, but that doesn’t mean that adults can’t enjoy it as well! You’ll walk through several aviation models from the first of its kind to the ones used during the world wars.
Apart from the grand exhibitions, you’ll also have the chance to participate in flight simulators so you’ll get the idea of what it’s like flying real fighter jets and planes!
Pro Tip:
This museum is one that you should surely experience, but apart from a few planes and the fancy flight simulator technology, this visit is for the most part a short one.
But fret not, there’s the World Waterpark nearby which is an amusement center that’s perfect for the family where you can enjoy waterslides and river rides!
Neon Sign Museum
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Address: 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0K7, Canada
Website: http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/neon-sign-museum.aspx
Contact Details: +17804965281
Opening Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
The Neon Sign Museum takes you on a journey to a collection of neon signs from past and present companies that existed in Edmonton’s city history. If you’ve ever wondered where the “AGES” and “FREIGHT TELEGRAMS” signs come from, then this is a must-visit.
During the day, you can read the street plaque just outside of the museum to learn the extensive histories of the signs that are being displayed in the museum.
That’s all fun and everything, but this place shines brightest (literally) during the night. It’s like walking down Las Vegas, but in a ‘Rodeo Drive’ kind of drive sort of way.
And the best part: There are several pubs and restaurants like the Hugo’s Cellar and Pizza Rock that should be specially mentioned!
Pro Tip:
As mentioned, stop by at nighttime to see the lights of the street signs. But what’s more impressive is there are fireworks sometimes if there are events in the museum which are worthwhile for picture-taking!
Art Gallery of Alberta
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Address: 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq, Edmonton, AB T5J 2C1, Canada
Website: https://www.youraga.ca/
Contact Details: +17804226223
Opening Hours: Daily 11 AM–5 PM
Price: $$
We don’t want to leave out the art fans here, so here’s Alberta’s largest art gallery! This fine arts museum houses some of Canada’s most prestigious paintings from named artists like Liz Magor, Kevin Schmidt, and Rita Letendre.
But that’s not all! You can also find rare and exquisite sculptures and contemporary art that’ll rock your socks off. To be more specific, Alberta Art Gallery maintains a collection of more than 6,000 pieces of art which are mostly from the mid 20th century to present time.
This means there is loads of art to behold here—so much so that you might want to take a break for a while during your visit. For that, you can stop by an excellent restaurant just outside called the May Restaurant.
Pro Tip:
Art galleries are generally not kid-friendly since most children have short attention spans. But if you want to bring your kids with you, there are special art programs and lessons that they’ll enjoy!
